Elastic chain.



PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

G. HELPS. ELASTIC CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY22,1905.

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No. 829,009. PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906. G. HELPS.

ELASTIC CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 22.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I'A'IIIIII'IIIIIIIII'II I.

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UNITED s'rA'r s PATENT OFFICE.

ELASTIC CHAIN.

"Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21. 1mm

ApplicationfiledMay22,19U5. Serial Nu. 281.689.

TOILZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEQRGE HELPs, civil engineer, a subject of the Ki g of Great Britain, residing at Nuneaton, in the county of Warwick, England have invented a certain new and useful Elastic (lhain, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an elastic chain which may be used as a band or belt for conveying power and also as a protective co vcr for pneumatic tires and for other purposes.

I forin my chain of a series of transverse interlocking links with pads of elastic mate rial inserted between the links-that is to say, instead of the edge of any link touching the inside of a bend in the next link in thechain it abuts against a pad situated in that bend.

The details of the chain may vary within wide limits; but in the embodiment of my invention, which is illustrated in the drawings, the chain is composed of a series of flat links, preferably S-shaped and formed of metal, Silt'l. as steel, with pads of india-rul ber between, though the links may be of varied cross-section and the pads may be made of other material than indie-rubber and may be replaced by springs.

The chain may be used as a driving-belt, strips of leather or other material being se cured to the links. It also makes a very ellieient protection for pneumatic tires, being either secured to the outside or inside of the ordinary pneumatic-tube cover or embedded in the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View, and

. Fig. 2 a plan, of a portion of such a chain formed of flat S-links. Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. 1, but with modified forms of links. Fig. 5 is a side view of a part of a chain formed of C-links. Fig. 6 shows part of a chain with stripspf material secured to the links to fit it for use as a driving-belt. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal, and Fig. 8 a trans verse, section of part of a tire made according Figs. 9 and 10 are views of modifications similar to Fig. 8. Fig. l l is a view of a modified form of link wlth' an outer tread carried by it. Fig. 12 is a side view of a wheel, showing, a m cthod of securing the chain thereto and Fig. 13 is a section of a tire-cover with a shain embedded in it.

In Figs. 1 to 4, a represents flat links of a general 8 shape, interlocking with one another and having pads 15 of resilient material interposed between the end or edge of one link and the bend of the next nnk with which it engages, so that as the string of links is put into tension the rubber pads are put into compression, and thus the elasticity of a few links is considerable.

In Fig. 5 the links are shown of C shape, and each may be regarded as half oi one of the links shown in Fig. 1, two links and four pads going to comprise a unit instead of one link and two pads, as before. \Vhcn it is desired to use such a chain in connection with pulleys to transmit power, pads c, of leather or other suitable material, maybe secured to the links, as shown in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 7 and 8 d is the rubber cover of a. pneumatic tube. formed. upon it to project between the links and prevent creeping of the chain. The

links are preferably arranged at right angles to the central plane of the wheel, but may be inclined thereto. The links may also be rovided with rubber or other treads f, w rich may be studded, if desired. These ma carried by special troughs formed in the links,

This may have heads 6 as shown in Fig' 11, or by se arate troughs g,

secured to thc links, as 111 *i 8. To give greaterflexihility. the links, in p ace ofstretching right across thrtire, may )0 made in two or more len ths, as seen in Fig. 8, in which case interlor king links should be arranged to break joint. The links may, if desired, be mounted on springs 71.

Sidewise movement of the links is prevented by heads 1'. at the sidesof the covers (1, and the chain may be further secured by a cord or chain is, passed through eyes I on the ends of some of the links.

Instead of arrangin cover d it may be embedded in it, as shown in Fig. 13.

What I claim is-- 1. The combination of a series of interlocking S-shaped links and a series of resilient pads interposed between the links substan tially as described.

2. In a tire the combination with anelastic cover of a series of interlocking links and a series of resilient ads interposed between the links substantial y as described.

3. In a tire the combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series of resilient pads interposed between t ee the chain outside the links, and a series of treads carried by the links substantially as described.

4. In a tire the combination w th an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series of resilient. padsinterposed between the links, means for preventing lateral movement of 20 and a. series of beads on the cover projecting up between the links substantially as described.

5. In a tire the combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series of resilient )ads interposed between the links, a series of eads on the cover projecting up between the links, and a series of treads carried by the links substantially as described.

6. In a tirethe combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series of resilient pads interposed between the links and means for preventing lateral movement of the links substantially as described.

7. In a tire the combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series of resilient pads interposed between the links, a series of treads carried by the links, and

the links substantially as described.

8. [n a tire the combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, :1. series of resilient pads interposed between the links,

a series of beads on the cover projecting up 25 between the links and means for revcnting lateral movement of the links su )stantielly as described.

9. In a. tire the combination with an elastic cover of a series of interlocking links, a series 0 of resilient pads interposed between the links, and means for preventing lateral movement of the links substantially as described.

GEORGE HELPS.

\Vitnesses:

H. D. JAMEson, A. NUT'IING. 

